Buffing roll



1959 G. R. CHURCHILL 37L BUFFING ROLL Filed May 9, 1955 1 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

' INVEN TOR. Geogre I? Curc,

30 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1959 G. R. CHURCHILL BUFFING ROLL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9,. 1955 Fig.4

INVENTOR. G g E? (Ma/i BY day-1.1 QAMQLQ ATTORNEY 1959 G. R. CHURCHILL 2,871,631

BUFFING ROLL Filed. May 9, 1955 I 4 Sheets-Sheet s Fig; 7

IN V EN TOR. 59 46 K C/;urb/// ATTORNEY United BUFFING ROLL Application May 9, 1955, Serial No. 506,815

13 Claims. (Cl. 51-193)- This invention relates to a bufling roll.

The invention has for an object to provide a buffing roll of novel and simple construction which may be economically manufactured and assembled on an arbor with minimum labor and at minimum expense.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel bufiing roll of the character described characterized by structure which enables replacement of the used butting material component of the buffing roll.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear the invention consists in the bufling rolls hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in cross section and partly broken away, of one form of the present bufiing roll;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one end of the buifing roll'showing some of the parts detached and illustrating one type of buffing material employed in producing the present roll being wound on a central core;

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view illustrating the pleated construction of the buffing material shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a different strip of bufiing material employed in producing a modified form of the present roll;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the bufiing material illustrated in Fig. 4 being wound on the core;

Fig. 6 is detail view in cross section of a portion of the roll shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation illustrating a modified form of puckered buffing material which may be employed in producing the present bufiing wheel or roll and apparatus for producing the roll therefrom;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the puckered material provided with stitching;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional detail view as seen from the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a detail view in cross section of a portion of the present buffing wheel produced as and embodying the buffing material shown in Fig. 7;

Figs. 11 and 12 are views similar to Fig. 7 showing different forms of apparatus and different buffi'ng'rnaterial;

Fig. 13 is a detail view in cross section of a portion of the present bufiing wheel embodying the bufiing material shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a detail to be referred to.

In general the present invention contemplates a spirally Wound, elongated roll type of buffing wheel unit of the type adapted to be mounted upon a rotary arbor. In accordance with the present invention the bufiing wheel is preferably constructed by winding a continuous elongated strip or web of bufling material spirally or helically about a tubular core member with the material extending radially from the axis of the tube, provision being gnarle for clamping the helically wound material on the asnssl Patented Pei). 3,1959

tube in a simple, economical manner and preferably in a manner'such that the material which has been worn through use may be easily removed and replaced by new material. The continuous length of buffing material may preferably comprise a continuous web or strip of multi-ply layers of cloth, or a strip of individual elongated and relatively narrow buffing elements, said elebuffing material thereto may comprise relatively stiff ma-' terial, such as paper, cardboard or the like, and the entire assembly thrown away when the buffing wheel becomes worn.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents a buffing wheel or roll embodying the present invention and which comprises an elongated strip of bufiing material, indicated generally at 12, spirally or helically wound about a hollow central core or tube 14, preferably of metal, and which is adapted to be mounted on and secured to a rotary arbor 16. As illustrated in Fig. l, the buffing material is wound on the tube 14 between the coils of a helically or spirally wound length of metal forming in effect a spring-like member 18 having sufiicient resilience to be axially compressed from its normally extended condition to grip the inner marginal edges of the strip of bufiing material disposed between the 'coils or convolutions of the spring member 18. As herein shown, the spring member 18 may and preferably will be T- shaped in cross section whereby to provide gripping surfaces at the outer edges of adjacent T-shaped coils between which the buffing material is retained upon compression of the coils. One end of the hollow tube is provided with a flange or collar 20 having an inclined and offset inner surface shaped for cooperation with and to correspond to the inclined and offset portion of the end of the spring 18 and the adjacent overlapping end of the helically wound strip of butting material. The inner surface of the collar 20 may also be recessed slightly adjacent the inclined surface, the recess being of a depth and diameter such as to snugly receive the outside diameter of the end of the spring. The inside diameter of the spring 18 is preferably of a size in its extended condition such as to fit snugly over the tube 14. In practice the space between the coils of the spring is suflicient in the normally extended length thereof to permit insertion of the inner edge of the elongated strip of buffing material, and a second collar 22 is provided at the other end of the tube 14 for clamping and retaining the buffing material in assembled relation on the tube.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the end flange or collar 20 is preferably secured upon one end of the central tube 14 by a set screw, and in the assembly of the buffing roll the spring 18 is first slipped over the tube 14 and fitted into the inner end of the collar 20 with the end of the spring engaging the offset portion of the collar. Thereafter, one end of the strip of buffing material is fastened between the coils of the spring starting at the offset portion of the collar, and the continuous strip may then be wound around the tube 14 between the coils of the spring.

After the strip of butting material is inserted and helically wound between the coils of the spring member 18, the outer end collar 22, also provided with inclined and offset surfaces and with a recessed portion, is placed uponthe outer end of the tube 14 with the end of the strip 3 of bufling material disposed between theend of the spring 18 and the recessed portion of the collar 22. The collars 20, 22 are then compressed toward one another to effect gripping ofrthe inner marginal edges of the boiling material between the outer edges of the T-shapedcoils, as illustrated, and when thus compressed, the inner;edge of the buffing material below the gripping portions-pf adjacent T-shaped coils is spread-out in more or less of a fan shape so as to substantially fill the space between the le s of the T of adjacent coils and thus provide in effect a lock or key to prevent withdrawal of the buffing material. The collar 26 is then secured in fixed position on the tube 14 by the set screw, as heretofore described, and the collar 22 is securedin fixed position upon the other end of tube 14 by a spring metal ring? or insert 24 which may be expanded over the end of the tube 14 and fitted into a groove portion "6 formed adjacent the end thereof. The completed bufiing roll thus assembled is adapted to be mounted upon the arbor 16 and secured thereto by a nut 25, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 the bufling material may comprise a plurality of multi-ply webs 34 of cloth which, as illustrated in Fig. 3, may be transversely folded to provide reverse bends or pleats along one edge, and the pleats maybe retained in such condition by stitching 28. The stitching 28, as shown in Fig. 3, extends through the cloth in a direction parallel with the direction of the folds. Asa result of such pleating along one edge, the strip of material may assume a spiral or helical form whereby to facilitate spiral winding of the multi-ply web 3t about the tube. In practice each individual multi-ply web 39 may contain a plu rality, herein shown as three plies of cloth, and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention a plurality of multi-ply webs 31) may be superposed and simultaneously wound about the tubular core between the coils of the spring member 18, thus forming a substantial thickness of cloth between adjacent coils. In practice the number of plies of cloth and the number of individual webs superposed and wound between the coils may be varied to form bufling surfaces of varying densities, or the cross sectional proportions of the T-shaped coils may be varied to change the spacing between adjacent coils of the spirally wound material. In practice the outer surface of the roll thus formed presents a continuous buifing surface of substantially uniform density for performing the buiiing operation. As shown in Fig. 2, the cloth or other fabric buffing material may and preferably will be cut on the bias, as indicated at 32.

It will be apparent from the description thus far and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, that the present buffing wheel is provided with a substantially continuous, uniform buffing surfaceat its periphery substantially free of spaces between the spirals forming the roll. The helical disposition of the bufiing elements with relation to the work enables the work to be buffed in an efficient, streak-free manner.

Referring now to Fig. 4, in a modified embodiment of the invention a strip of buffing material particularly adapted for certain types of buffing operation may comprise a plurality of individual connected buffing elements indicated generally at 40 and which may and preferably will comprise the strip of bufiing material illustrated and described in my United States Patent No. 2,146,284, issued February 7, 1939. As herein shown, each individual element 40 may comprise a plurality of folded lengths of cloth or other suitable fibrous material to form elongated elements, the elements being held in their assembled form by Weaving wires 42 connetced at their lower ends to form a strip thereof. As illustrated in Fig.

5, the strip of buffing elements 40 may be helically wound, following the general procedure above described, on the tube 14 between the coils of the spring 18 with the elements extended radially from the axis of the tube and in a manner such that when the assembled unit is compressed the inner endsof the elementsabove the weaving wires are compressed between the edges of the spring member 18, permitting the extreme inner ends of the elements below or within the gripped portions to expand or fan out and form a lock or anchor preventing withdrawal of the elements, as shown in Fig. 6.

While the modified form of the present invention illus trated in Fig, 4 and heretofore described may comprise the type of bufling elements illustrated in my United States Patent No. 2,146,284, February 7, 1939, the structure of the individual elements may be varied in accordance with the character of the buifing operations to be performed. The hardness or softness of each of the elements may be varied by stitching the folds of each ele ment together and also by varying the number of folds per element, such as increasing the number where a harder bufiing surface is required.

Referring now to Fig. 7, in a modified form of the invention the buffing material may comprise a relatively wide, elongated fabric strip 50, preferably having a plurality of superposed plies and having the fabric strip longitudinally folded centrally thereof into a substantially U shape in cross section. A cord 52, which may comprise a fibrous material or a flexible metal such as a wire, may be disposed within the U-shaped strip, and while thus supported on the cord the material may be puckered or gathered thereon, as illustrated, by any known or preferred means, such as by two pairs of spaced feeding and puckering or gathering rolls 54, 55'. The rolls 54,55 are preferably grooved or serrated to effect gripping of the strip and may be provided with slightly concave peripheral surfaces, as shown in Fig. 11. In practice one pair 10f feed rolls 54 is arranged to be rotated at a greaterperipheral speed than the feed rolls 55 so as to eifectlongitudinal compression and puckering of the material be.- tween the two pairs of rolls as the strip is advancedi'the concave curvature of the periphery of the rolls providing clearance to prevent gripping of the cord 52 and to pen mit slidin movement of the material on the cord-to form the puckered or gathered edge, as shown in Fig. 9. The leading end of the gathered strip of material, prepared as described, may be inserted between the coils of the springlike member 18, and the strip may be retained therebetween in its puckered condition during assembly by the resiliency of the coils or in any other convenient manner, as by stitching. In the embodiment of the-in.- vention illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 12, the supporting tube 14 and the coil spring 18 may be rotated at the same peripheral speed as the second pair of feed rollsg55' to effect winding of the strip between the coils and to maintain the puckered or gathered condition of the strip during the assembly of the bufiing roll. When the roll is completely wound the strip 56 may be severed, and thereafter the spring 18 may be compressed to grip and retain the folded and puckered material therebetween in the manner above described and as shown in Fig. .10.

In a modified form of the folded and puckered strip of buffing material, as shown in Fig. 8, the strip may be retained in its puckered condition on its cord52 by stitching indicated at 56, and when thus prepared the strip may be simultaneously wound about the supporting tube 14, as shown, or the prepared strip may be stored and subsequently wound about the tube in the manner described.

In some instances it may be preferred to prepare the folded and puckered strip without the use of the cord 52, and as illustrated in Fig. 11, such strip may be longitudinally folded into U shape over a rigid guide rod 60 and puckered along the lower edge thereof by the spaced puckering rolls 54, 55. In preparing the stripin such manner the leading end of the puckered strip may beJinsertedbetween the coils of the spring member 18,1the resiliency of the coils serving to retain the material in its puckered condition during assembly of the buff. As H lustrated, the guide rod 60 may be continued a short,

distance around the hub member 14 of the bufiing wheel, the material being pressed down between the coils by the rod during rotation of the unit. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the material may be gripped and retained between the coils of the spring upon compression thereof, as described.

If desired, a butting roll may be produced wherein the elongated strip of buffing material produced by the methods above described may be provided with a strip retaining member comprising a strip '75 of a bendable or deformable metal of general U shape having teeth 76. The lower end of the strip of thebuffing material may be received within the U-shaped metal strip and the latter bent to cause the teeth to penetrate into the strip of bull?- ing elements. After the metal retaining strip has been thus applied the composite buffing strip may be wound upon the tube as shown in Fig. 14, thus enabling a buffing roll to be produced without the use of the coil springs above referred to.

In use when the buffing material is worn down, the roll unit may be removed from the arbor and then easily disassembled by removing the retaining ring 24 to release the end collar 22 and permit expansion of the spring 18 whereupon the old buffing material may be easily unwound from the unit and a new strip or web of bufiing material wound upon the core 14 between the coils of the spring 18 and retained thereon in the manner described. In practice the worn buffing roll may be returned to the manufacturer for removal of the old bufling material and refilling with new material.

The term gathered as used throughout the claims is intended to define and include puckering, rufiling, pleating or gathering the strip of buifing material.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In a buffing roll unit comprising an elongated tube adapted to snugly fit upon a rotatable arbor, a helical spring-like metal member T-shaped in section fitted snugly upon the tube with the narrow leg of the T engaging the tube, and an elongated strip of buffing material helically wound around the tube to extend radially of the axis of the tube with the inner ends thereof disposed between the convolutions of the T-shaped spring-like metal member, the convolutions of the helical spring-like member cooperating with adjacent convolutions to clamp the inner ends of the bufiing strip between the flange of the T when the metal member is axiallyfcompressed, and end fastening members for securing the compressed spring member and the elongated buffing strip to the tube to form a unit therewith.

2. A butting roll unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the end of the tube is provided with a groove and wherein the end fastening members comprise collars snugly fitting over the tube, and a spring-like retaining member fitted within the collar to be disposed in the groove to secure the collar to the tube.

3. A buffing roll unit as defined in claim l-wherein the elongated strip of bufling material comprises aseries of folded finger-like elements with the inner ends thereof bunched and disposed between the convolutions of the spring-like member.

4. A bufiing roll unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated strip of bufiing material comprises a helical strip of buffing cloth having the inner portions gathered and disposed between the convolutions of said spring-like retaining member.

5. A buffing roll unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated strip of buffing material comprises a multi-ply 6 strip U-shaped in section and having the folded portion of the strip gathered longitudinally and disposed between the convolutions of the spring-like member.

6. A buffing wheel, comprising: a cylindrical core member; an elongated strip of buffing material extending helically around said core member with the inner surface of its convolutions contacting the outer surface of said core member; helical clamping means extending around said core member at said outer surface and having turns disposed between convolutions of said elongated bufling strip, said clamping means including a portion at its inner periphery that is narrow in an axial direction, and a portion spaced radially outwardly of said inner periphery that is relatively wide in an axial direction and is engaged with the side surfaces of the inner marginal portions of said convolutions of said elongated bufing strip; and means maintaining the inner marginal portions of said elongated buffing strip and said helical gripping means under axial compression and securing the same to said core member.

7. A buffing wheel as defined in claim. 6, wherein the elongated strip of bufling material comprises a plurality of plies and is transversely folded along its inner margin to provide pleats.

8. A bufiing wheel as defined in claim 7, wherein the pleats are retained by stitching that extends through the strip in a direction substantially parallel with the direction of the folds.

9. A bufiing wheel as defined in claim 6, wherein the elongated strip of buffing material comprises individual buffing elements secured together by wire located near their inner ends, and the wide portion of the helical clamping means engages said elements in a region radially outwardly of said wire.

10. The method of making a buffing roll unit which comprises the steps of securing the leading end of an elongated U-shaped multi-ply cloth strip in fixed relation to the periphery of a tube, guiding the U-shaped cloth strip to said tube, gathering said strip longitudinally and compressing it along its inner edge to form puckers, advancing said U-shaped strip toward said tube and simultaneously rotating the tube to wind the thus gathered strip upon the tube in helical form longitudinally of the tube, and securing the same thereto to form a unit therewith which is adapted to be snugly fitted upon a rotatable arbor.

11. The method defined in claim 10, including the steps of positioning a wire at the U-portion of the strip, moving said wire along with said strip during the gathering and puckering of said strip, and simultaneously winding the puckered strip and wire on said tube.

12. A puckered bufiing element comprising an elongated strip of laminated material adapted to be positioned on a mandrel, said strip being folded transversely so that it is U-shaped in cross section, said strip being gathered along its folded inner edge and compressed longitudinally to form puckers in the leg portions of the U.

13. A puckered buffing element as defined in claim 12,

including means retaining the strip in longitudinally com pressed, puckered condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,572 Cleaves May 31, 1932 1,927,862 Zimmerman Sept. 26, 1933 1,963,044 Bickel June 12, 1934 2,021,768 Epp Nov. 19, 1935 2,303,386 Peterson Dec. 1, 1942 2,468,686 Sax Apr. 26, 1949 2,522,093 Churchill Sept. 12, 1950 2,627,146 Lyon Feb. 3, 1953 

